Category: Laura

A month into my New Year’s Resolution and I can say I am not doing too hot.

What is this 2018 Resolution you ask? Not the basic ideas like drink more water, exercise frequently, or be better at saving money, but rather…

To stop getting stressed out.

If you are anything like me (neat freak, planner obsessed, calendar is color coded, etc) you might think this is an impossible goal. I just can’t help it! When I have an overwhelming schedule I immediately result to blurting out “I’M SO STRESSED!”

I think getting caught up in the college moment is almost too easy. With class all day, an internship, trying to hangout with friends, catching up on This is Us and getting sleep it can be impossible to find time to breathe.

Here is my pledge that I will actually try to be less stressed so here are some ideas on how we can all prevent and reduce stress:

Meditating in the morning

This doesn’t need to take too much time it can just be taking some nice deep breaths before leaving your room for the day and giving yourself positive thoughts.

Drinking tea before bed

My favorite is the honey lavender “Stress Relief” tea from the brand Yogi.

Getting the proper amount of sleep

I try and get 8 hours of sleep every night by using the bedtime section on the clock app on my phone. I can set when I want to go to bed and wake up and it will remind me 15 minutes before to go to bed. I can also track my sleep to make sure I am staying well rested to avoid feeling run down and sick.

Acknowledging that you’re stressed and taking a break

If you take a minute to realize you’re stressed, what needs to get done and then take a small break before you do it, it might be more effective. Sometimes I need a quick break before I can sit down to do all my work.

We’re all in stress together! Get those deep breaths going with me and we can definitely make it through this semester.

Every semester at BU is just as memorable as the next, but something about this semester felt different from the other two I have experienced. As a sophomore, I admittedly did a lot of reflecting on how much has changed since my first ever semester here last fall. I came to Boston this year reminiscing on memories of last year, recognizing that it was no longer going to be my first time doing everything. Woah I actually know how to get around the city, and how to use my dining points efficiently, and where the quietest study spots are (during finals do not go to Mugar- try finding a classroom in the law building!) I adjusted more quickly and looking back on all of the amazing memories a lot did happen this semester!

Here is a quick peek into what my life was like this fall:

I got a library card at the Coolidge Corner Library and definitely recommend it.

I fell getting out of the shower (Yup! Just slipped right out!)

I lived with seven friends. Very fun but equally loud and crazy.

I went to the synagogue in Brookline with my family for the Jewish high holidays.

I got offered my dream internship for the spring 2018 semester at an advertising agency.

I witnessed not one, not two, but THREE weddings in front of the Boston Public Library.

I worked on two projects in Ad Club, one as an account executive where we worked on rebranding and one as a copywriter where I made mail templates to be sent out to students.

I saw Bleachers in concert at the House of Blues!

I started watching This is Us…. all the tears, I know, I asked for this.

I celebrated the one year anniversary of when I met my boyfriend.

I went to Dry Bar for the first time and did not like it!!!

I participated in a dance marathon for the Boston Children’s Hospital.

I tried oysters for the first time and discovered my favorite new restaurant: Saltie Girl.

I lost connections with a few of my good friends from freshman year but formed deep connections with the ones that I still had. I also formed deeper relationships with people who were just acquaintances in the past.

I took my favorite class: Introduction to Creative Writing (CAS EN 202) where my professor always encouraged us to push ourselves in our writing and try new things.

I invented a new product for S’well for my COM 331 class. Shark tank here I come?

But as fun as all of these moments were, I noticed an over-arching theme this semester.

I think I really grew up (woah, what, what is happening).

Even when I would call my mom on the phone she would mention, “You have matured so much in these past few months! How did that happen?”

I honestly have no clue, but I think it has something to do with it being my second year and not my first. The pressure of making friends is no longer a worry of mine, I understand what it takes to get good grades and I have a lot of practice in time management and balancing everything I want to accomplish. Maybe something that made me become “more adult” is the way that I prioritized finding an internship and using my go-getter attitude to go for, and ultimately accept, my dream internship. I think any nerves I had about networking or simply talking to super-adulty (Laura, c’mon you’re telling us you’re an adult and you’re using the word “adulty”) professional people have evaporated, because I have realized for once that I’ve got this!

And you do too. It might take time, but I cannot believe how much growth I have accomplished in just one semester and I think that I can only continue to grow if I keep pushing myself here at BU.

You know those emails you get at least three times a week about a new event to go to or a speaker that is coming? You might just mark them as read or send them to trash, but I promise you should actually read them.

I attended the BU Career Fair this past month, and believe me I had my hesitations. Though, I am extremely happy that I decided to attend. I printed out copies of my resume, obsessed over what I should wear, put on a lot of deodorant (hey, I am a nervous sweater!) and practiced what would come out of my mouth when I shook the recruiters’ hands.

From the looks of it, the career fair can be very intimidating. This semester it took place in the Metcalf ballroom on the 2nd floor of the GSU and there was a sea of eager students. When you walk in, team members from the CCD will hand you a sheet with all of the companies at the fair. I marked off the five companies I aimed to meet with, went in with a smile, and reminded myself to breathe. As you can tell, I understand that these types of fairs can be intimidating and you can feel lost at them. I also know that it can be difficult to gage the value of attending a career fair as an underclassmen, but it is never too early to go to an event you receive an email about. Whether it is a networking event, career fair or internship information session because it is always great to practice- so by the time you graduate maybe you will not need to re-apply your deodorant as many times!

I could have never expected how well the career fair went. I ended up making strong connections with agencies in Boston and scheduled interviews for spring internship opportunities. I find that all of the resources available to us including COM Career Services, the COM writing center, Undergrad Affairs and Handshake are incredible. Though, nothing beats the opportunity of getting to present yourself in front of future employers and show what you know.

These are my tips to help encourage you to take advantage of all the events and information sessions that BU and COM specifically have to offer:

Always research the company/ internship program prior to meeting with the recruiters so you can ask specific questions and show your smarts

Print out copies of your resume and maybe buy a nice portfolio to hold them in- I got mine at staples for $15, but it looks just as fancy

Write yourself a little note to stay calm

Try to find some common ground to make a memorable connection (I knew we learned this at orientation for a reason)

Remember: these companies are attending career fairs and giving presentations at information sessions because they genuinely want college students to come and intern and give insight!

Never be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and use the resources that are available to you. The opportunities are waiting for you so go out and get them!

This summer I wanted to put my summer break to good use and find a new way to relax… without using Netflix. I know, crazy right? During the school year I find myself extremely busy with assignments, activities, and friends that I have no time to indulge in a great book. Therefore this summer I chose to read as much as possible and set a goal of reading 10 books. In 2016 I had only read 4 books for fun, so this was going to be a major adjustment and slight challenge. I ended up passing my goal. I read 15 books in just one summer. I made a plan to read every day and somehow worked my way through books of various styles and genres. Often times when I would finish a book I would post a snapchat on my story and because of this a lot of people started to notice how often I was reading.

My friends would text measking:

“Can you recommend a book to me!?”

To which I always replied:

“What kind of books do you like?”

Followed by a list of 10 books I think they might like.

I was receiving these texts about three times each day…

Due to this, I decided to start an Instagram where I could post the books I love and the books I am currently reading for my friends to look at and get recommendations. Within one month of starting the account I have over 120 followers. While I am walking on Comm Ave people constantly stop me to talk about books or my Instagram account. If I never started the account, a lot of people would not have known about my love for books and wouldn’t have been able to reach out to me about it.

To my surprise I still receive many texts from my fellow students telling me about books they just read OR about their experience reading one of the books I recommended on my account. My point to this is if you’re interested in something: share it! Chances are you will inspire others to share their interest and you will also find common ground with many new people.

If you’re looking for a book right now these are the top 10 books I am constantly recommending:

The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

From Scratch by Allen Salkin

The Rules Do Not Apply by Ariel Levy

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave

A little Love Story by Roland Merullo

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Follow my Instagram account @lauras.library to see my posts throughout the year!

Growing up, I always knew I wanted to do something that would allow me to use my creativity. I have been keeping a journal since 7th grade and my love for writing grows more and more each day. When deciding what to study in college I stumbled across the field of communications and all of the stars were aligned. I like to talk to people, write, use creativity and think about what makes a good brand or campaign. Everything pointed to public relations and I was ready to go.

After taking COM 101 in the fall and studying the public relations chapter I questioned if that career choice really was for me. That was when I turned the page to the next chapter in the textbook- and my love for advertising began. After reading about how far the advertising industry has come and different famous ad-campaigns that have shaped consumers’ minds I was hooked. I started to think back on why I never feel the need to skip commercials while I am watching TV, or why I love flipping through magazines and everything became so clear.

This spring, I am taking a nutrition course through Sargent College and while I am admittedly not the best at the science behind it, I realized the need for health and wellness advertising. My professor showed the class a video (featured below) about the marketing behind the healthy food market and I had a mile wide smile planted on my face the entire time.

After watching this video and realizing the excitement it gave me (who knew school could be so thrilling?) I finally realized that it is my dream in life to go into the field of health, food, and wellness advertising. This will be the perfect way to use my creativity and also put my love of social justice to use. Sometimes advertising gets the reputation of “messing with consumers minds” and that it “will do anything to trick people into consuming.” I see this specified field as a great way to change that reputation. When I graduate from BU I can only hope that I will be able to work for a team that is able to produce advertisements that raise awareness for diseases, make eating healthy more exciting and that let people know they are not alone if they do happen to have an illness.

Hello fellow foodies! One of my favorite things to do when settling in to a new place is to seek out all the best food places. In the beginning of my first semester I did the traditional freshman thing and stuck to my meal plan, making trips to the dining hall three times a day. Though, towards the end I could not deny that one of the best things about being in the heart of Boston is the food! These are some of my favorite food experiences in Boston so far:

Pure Cold Press: Living in West Campus makes a walk to the adorable town of Brookline extremely convenient. Brookline has a nice hometown feel with a lot of families always walking around. Pure Cold Press is home of the best Açaí bowls in Boston and the customer service is exceptional. “Cold press” as it is commonly known, is also a great spot to hangout and get homework done. My personal favorite thing to order is an egg and cheese sandwich with avocado.

Bay State Dining Hall: The most beautiful dining hall in all of the land. Can I one day be as pretty as this dining hall? Thanks. It is also known as Yawkey or Marciano Commons and is located on East Campus and undeniably has the best food and layout. The omelet bar is worth the long line and you have to check out the vegan chicken nuggets. My favorite thing about “Bae” State is the cookies and I always have to grab a few on my way out.

Mamaleh’s: Located in Cambridge by MIT’s campus, Mamaleh’s is a retro spin on your favorite Jewish deli. If you’re in need of comfort food and missing your Grandma, Mamaleh’s is the place for you. I am often on the hunt for the best chocolate milkshake in the world and Mamaleh’s milkshake is definitely a contender. I recommend ordering “The Rachel” a spin on the classic pastrami sandwich that I was raised on.

Angora: Angora forever has my heart. It often goes unnoticed because it is placed next to one of the hottest spots on West Campus, T. Anthony’s Pizzeria. I constantly crave an Angora salad that contains all the toppings I could imagine. If you don’t want a salad or Panini you can stop by to eat the delicious froyo that has MIXED IN toppings! I always make sure to order the chocolate froyo with oreos mixed in.

Dig Inn: If you love Sweet Green you must try Dig Inn! I love stopping here after a day well spent studying at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. When it is warmer it is a great spot to sit outside and enjoy a healthy meal with your friends. Here, you can create a warm bowl including a base, two vegetables and a protein. The brussel sprouts and sweet potato vegetable combination is the bomb.

Some definite honorable mentions are Loose Leafs in the George Sherman Union, Stephanie’s on Newbury, Emack and Bolio’s ice cream, Nud Pob for pad thai and Pavement or Blue State for coffee.

Food is a great way to come together with your friends and explore the city of Boston! I can’t wait for all the meals these next four years.